I. Ranking Criteria: Scale, Revenue, Patents, and Certifications
There is no single official standard for the “Top 10” ranking, yet industry data shows a high degree of consensus. According to statistics from the Welding Materials Branch of the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association, the top 10 companies account for over 80% of total production volume, with the top three alone representing more than 60%.
The report “Competitive Landscape of China’s Welding Materials Industry,” released by the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute in July 2026, identifies the ten leading brands as: Jinqiao, Daqiao, Atlantic, Huatong, Tiemao, Lincoln Electric, Solid, ESAB, Jinglei, and Tiantai. Rankings are based on a combination of production volume and capacity, revenue scale, the number of valid invention patents, and market recognition.
In 2024, Jinqiao led the sector with 9.27 billion RMB in revenue and 647 valid invention patents, followed by Daqiao (5.532 billion RMB) and Atlantic (3.561 billion RMB) in second and third place, respectively.
Key data for each company follows below.
II.
The Top Three: Jinqiao, Daqiao, and Atlantic
Ranked first is Tianjin Jinqiao Welding Materials Group: It boasts an annual sales volume of approximately 1.6 million tons and a planned capacity of around 2 million tons. In 2024, it recorded 9.27 billion RMB in revenue and held 647 valid invention patents. Its domestic market share ranges from 18% to 23%, exceeding 30% specifically in the sector of corrosion-resistant welding materials for marine engineering. The company employs a dual-channel distribution strategy combining direct sales and agency networks across 23 provincial-level regions in China.
Ranked second is Tianjin Daqiao Welding Materials Group: Established in 1957, the company operates a 1.2-million-square-meter industrial park with a designed annual production capacity of approximately 1.5 million tons. In 2024, it generated 5.532 billion yuan in revenue. Its products hold certifications from ten major international classification societies—including ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, and LR—and are sold in over 150 countries and regions, finding application in major projects such as 300,000-ton oil tankers and high-speed rail infrastructure.
Ranked third is Sichuan Atlantic (A-share: 600558): With a total production capacity exceeding 500,000 tons and 2024 revenue of 3.561 billion yuan, the company has led the formulation of 58 national and industry standards. It plays a pivotal role in supplying key national projects—such as nuclear power facilities and pressure steel piping for hydropower plants—and holds a dominant position in the Southwest China market.
III. Ranks 4 to 6: Huatong Welding, Tiemao, and Solid
Ranked fourth is Huatong Welding (Harbin Welding Huatong; A-share: 301137): Controlled by the Harbin Welding Research Institute and backed by the technical expertise of the National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center for Welding Materials, the company has achieved mass-scale import substitution for low-hydrogen welding electrodes used in pressure vessels and nuclear power applications, capturing market shares ranging from 9% to 16% for specific product specifications.
Ranked fifth is Wuhan Tiemao Welding Materials: A subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) established in 1958, it has a total capacity of 220,000 tons (comprising 120,000 tons of flux-cored wire, 80,000 tons of solid and submerged-arc welding wire, and 20,000 tons of special electrodes). It holds over 130 invention patents and certifications from ten classification societies (CCS, ABS, BV, DNV, NK, LR, KR, RINA, RS, and CE); its products are used in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Tianxingzhou Yangtze River Bridge, and by major groups including CSSC, COSCO, and CIMC.
Ranked sixth is Shandong Solid: With a total capacity of 400,000 tons covering multiple series of welding materials—including carbon steel and low-alloy steel—it is a specialized manufacturer with significant production scale within the industry’s second tier.
IV. Ranks 7–10: Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Jinglei, and Tiantai
Ranked 7th is Lincoln Electric, a global leader in welding; by 2025, it held over 4.5% of the global market share for arc welding equipment and maintained a sales network spanning 160 countries. It possesses distinct advantages in high-end nickel-based, ultra-low alloy, and hardfacing welding consumables, maintaining significant influence in China’s high-end market. Ranked 8th is ESAB;
spun off from Colfax and listed in 2022, it recorded revenue of $2.843 billion in fiscal year 2025, with welding consumables accounting for approximately 66% of the total. With a factory in Zhangjiagang, it is a major supplier of imported welding consumables, widely used in high-end applications such as wind power towers and shipbuilding.
Ranked 9th is Jinglei Welding Materials, known for its expertise in stainless steel and specialty alloy consumables and an active overseas sales network. Ranked 10th is Tiantai Welding Materials (Jiangsu Tiantai); the company focuses on low-carbon steel and alloy consumables, demonstrating strong penetration in regional and niche markets.
Additionally, players in the high-end market should also consider imported brands such as Böhler (voestalpine) and Kobelco—though the market share of foreign brands in China’s high-end specialty welding consumables sector declined from 36% in 2021 to approximately 28% in 2025.
V.
Selection Advice Beyond the Rankings
Rankings serve as a reference, but product selection is what truly matters.
It is recommended to base implementation on three key factors: First, consider certification alignment—look for classification society certifications for shipbuilding and offshore engineering (e.g., Daqiao and Tiemao hold comprehensive certifications from major international bodies); for nuclear power and energy, prioritize ASME, ISO 3834, and nuclear industry access qualifications (e.g., Jinqiao supplies in bulk, having passed certifications from CGN and COOEC); and for EU exports, ensure compliance with CE and EN standards. Second, evaluate specialized strengths—for LNG nickel-based welding consumables, consider Harbin Welding Huatong or Jinzhou Shengong; for aluminum-magnesium alloys, Changzhou Huatong; for titanium alloy repair, Tiemao; and for stainless steel, Atlantic or Jinglei. Third, optimize the supply structure—sign annual framework agreements with the top three industry leaders for conventional carbon steel welding consumables to lock in prices and delivery schedules;
partner with niche champions for specialty welding consumables; and maintain one or two backup suppliers to mitigate supply disruption risks. Rankings of the top ten fluctuate annually based on revenue and patent data;
therefore, procurement decisions should be guided by a combination of “certifications, samples, and commercial terms” rather than relying solely on ranking positions.
Conclusion
Who are the top ten industrial welding consumable suppliers?
The list includes Jinqiao, Daqiao, Atlantic, Huatong Welding, Tiemao, Lincoln Electric, Suolide, ESAB, Jinglei, and Tiantai. The top three players dominate a significant share of the market, while international giants fill the gaps in the high-end segment.
By using rankings as a starting point and making selections based on a comprehensive assessment of application scenarios, certifications, and supply structures, companies can identify truly reliable partners among the more than one hundred welding consumable enterprises.
